VIDEO: Military Dad Surprises Family at Baseball Game

ABC News(PAPILLION, Neb.) -- It’s a surprise 8-year-old Jackson Zortman will never forget. Jackson, a big baseball fan, was picked to throw out the first pitch for the Omaha Storm Chasers, AAA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, as the honorary “kid of the week” at Werner Park.

Unfortunately, Rik Zortman, Jackson’s dad, was in Mississippi training with the Iowa Air National Guard and wasn’t around to help Jackson practice for his big moment. Instead, Jackson practiced all week with his brother and sister to help him get ready.

The big day came and Jackson threw out the first pitch of the game. The announcer then explained that the catcher had a secret. As Staff Sgt. Zortman took off his catcher’s mask, he knew he had pulled off quite a surprise. Jackson and his family all rushed to hug him at home plate and welcome him home.

“I heard them say his name, but I didn’t think that he would be here,” Jackson told ABC’s Omaha, Neb., affiliate KETV.

“It’s been tough because I’ve been hiding out. But I’ve been going to places I knew they wouldn’t be,” said Rik Zortman.